Three persons have been arrested following the disturbance at Akyem Asunafo in Atiwa West District in Eastern Region.
The three are currently in police custody assisting the investigation, according to the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh.
He said steps are underway to identify and arrest more suspects.
Meanwhile, there is a Police presence in the community to maintain law and order.
The Atiwa West District Security Council (DISEC) has impounded the excavators being used by a group of miners who claim to be engaging in community mining for them to produce legitimate documents permitting them to mine in the Asunafo Community.
One person was shot dead while eight (8) others sustained gunshot and cutlass wounds during clashes between residents of Akyem Asunafo and a group of miners.
The incident occurred on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Kasapa News gathered that residents of Akyem Asunafo were resisting illegal mining in the community hence stormed a mining site where two excavators were operating under the guise of community mining.
This led to clashes between the miners and the rampaging community members leading to gunshots which nine (9) residents sustained injuries and were rushed to Engresi Government Hospital but one was pronounced dead on arrival.
Akyem Asunafo is one of the few farming communities in the Akyem enclave that has been consistent in resisting illegal mining for fear that it will destroy their farmlands and river bodies.
Some of the angry residents said some individuals who claim to be national security operatives from the office of the President came to the community that, the office of the President has sanctioned their mining activity.
A statement issued Saturday, April 2, 2022, and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh said an investigation has commenced into the incident.
The statement said “Eastern Regional Police Command led by DCOP /Mr. Anderson Fosu -Ackaah has visited the community and the hospital where the remaining eight (8) persons are receiving medical treatment. Meanwhile, the regional, Divisional, and District patrol teams have been deployed around Asunafo to maintain law and order “.
The Regional Police Command urged members of the Asunafo Community to volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects who are currently on the run, to face justice.
